Wednesday, July 25, 2012

The Mob - Back to Queens / That's it

Thirty years after releasing one of the greatest Hardcore EP's in Punk/Hardcore history with
"Upset The System"
New York City's The Mob return from utter obscurity with three slabs of Hardcore for the senior circuit. After reforming for a set at NYC's 'BNB' Bowl in 2012 the Mob headed to the studio to record their first record in over twenty-five years.

"Back to Queens"
(An ode to the greatest Borough NYC has ever known) opens up the short set with a good pace and energy. It took hold of me with it's opening riffs, rolling bass and up tempo beats.
Ralphie singing the chorus "That's where I got my walk, that's where I got my talk. going back to Queens, that's where I belong." Coming in at 2:47, this stellar track kept me on my toes throughout it's entirety.
The B side follows with a trashier sound more reminiscent to the ancient Mob style. Unfortunately, "That's It" and "Zoo Crew" are instantly forgettable to the ears.

Though the band were seminal to a lot of kids my age getting into Hardcore. (And particularly in Jackson Heights, Queens.) But personally, the bands music, it's influence and their Hardcore legacy faded as time went on.

This record doesn't really do anything that inspires one to look at the bands storied past; Nor does it get the listener eager for the future. I would suggest tracking down the bands classic work on "Upset the System" or "Truth Over the Airwaves." This just seemed like a lot of hype and little reward. The band is back in action and is planning more releases for 2012. One can only hope they get better as they come. James Damion

1 comment:

In my opinion the music on this 7" is what happens in a scene that is rampant with cronyism...a scene where no one has the balls to stand up as an individual and say "hey this sucks".

I personally am beyond sick and tired of this NYHC reunion scene that has quite honestly risen to embarrassing levels as of late. I mean have you seen/heard the latest Stigma song/video? The Stigma song "New York Blood" and The Mob's " Going Back To Queens" sound like they were written by the same hardcore paint by numbers writing team. Honestly, there is nothing going on in either of these songs that is relevant to punk or hardcore music in 2012.

I understand that there are 40+ year old grown men who want to play shows, hang with their buddy's and give each other bro-hugs , but when did hardcore music become a nostalgia movement ? Honestly, this nostalgia movement is comparable to Old Timers day in baseball. Yeah, it's fun to get together, drink some beers and play some exhibition shows for your friends and fans, but at some point you need to step aside and let the current relevant teams take the field.

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